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In Pune, Jitendra Singh, the Union minister of state for science and technology, inaugurated the nation’s first hydrogen fuel cell bus that KPIT-CSIR had created. According to Dr Jitendra Singh, green hydrogen is an excellent source of clean energy that permits the deep carbonization of emissions from heavy commercial vehicles, the steel, and cement industries, the fertiliser and refining industries, and the deep refining business.
The hydrogen fuel cell produces just heat and water while generating electricity using hydrogen and air. Hydrogen and oxygen atoms are combined to create power in hydrogen-based fuel cells such as those on the bus. In an electrochemical cell like a traditional battery cell, the two gases react to create electricity, water, and tiny quantities of heat. Electric motors then utilise this energy to move the vehicle forward.
Key Takeaways
- Jitendra Singh, the Union Minister for Science and Technology, inaugurated the first hydrogen fuel cell bus made in India in Pune
- The Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and the business firm KPIT Limited created the bus
- Hydrogen and air are used in the fuel cell to produce energy, which powers the bus
- Nearly a million diesel buses are operating on long-distance routes in India, and each one produces an average of 100 tonnes of CO2 every year
- In sharp contrast to big commercial diesel vehicles, which emit 12–14% more CO2 and particulate matter, fuel cell vehicles likewise produce zero greenhouse gas emissions
About the Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Launch Event
The minister informed the gathered crowd that the hydrogen-powered fuel cell, which may be the most ecologically friendly mode of transportation to date, generates energy for the bus using hydrogen and air.
Vehicles that run on hydrogen are an excellent approach to reducing the pollution that comes from heavy commercial traffic. The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus is the outcome of development work done by KPIT and CSIR partnership.
About Hydrogen Fuel Cell
The US Energy Department claims that although fuel cells function similarly to the typical batteries used in electric cars, they don’t run out of power and don’t need an electrical source to refresh them. As long as there is hydrogen available, they can keep making power.
Cathode and anode are positioned around an electrolyte in a fuel cell, much as in conventional cells. The anode is supplied with hydrogen, while the cathode is fed air. The hydrogen molecules are split into protons and electrons at the anode by a catalyst, and both subatomic entities travel in separate directions to the cathode.
Electric motors may be powered by the flow of electricity produced when the electrons pass through an external circuit. On the other side, the protons go through the electrolyte to the cathode. Once there, they combine with electrons and oxygen to create heat and water.
How do Vehicles Run Using Hydrogen Fuel Cells?
In contrast to conventional trucks and buses, the hydrogen-powered fuel cell bus generates energy from hydrogen & air to power itself. The oxygen and hydrogen atoms in the fuel cell used in the hydrogen-powered bus would combine to produce energy that could power the vehicle.
The hydrogen fuel cell’s construction enables oxygen and hydrogen gases to interact in an electrochemical cell, which results in the production of electricity as a form of energy and water as its waste with very little heat.
Hydrogen Fuel-Cell Powered Automobiles would not need periodic recharging, in contrast to conventional electrical vehicles. Electricity is still produced using hydrogen fuel cells as long as hydrogen fuel is readily accessible.
Therefore, the problems that existing electrical cars have with distance, or how far they can go, and the infrastructure for charging them, are likely to be solved and overcome by hydrogen-powered vehicles.
Emission of CO2 by Buses
Over a million diesel buses travel vast distances in India, each of which emits 100 tonnes of CO2 yearly. Fuel cell cars also have zero emissions of greenhouse gases, which is a huge contrast to major commercial automobiles, which release 12–14% higher CO2 and pollutants.
Are Automobiles Fueled by Hydrogen Fuel Cells Eco-Friendly?
The use of battery-powered electric cars does not indicate that the vehicles create no emissions, but rather that they do not emit any tailpipe emissions, which is a key distinction to make.
These cars do produce a significant amount of emissions due to their use since the majority of the power in the nation is produced using fossil fuels, and the primary contributor of hydrogen gas in the world right now is also fossil fuel.
But just as we are going toward renewable sources of energy for electricity, we may do the same for hydrogen generation in the future. Therefore, even though these cars currently do contribute to emissions, the fuel they need might be generated using sustainable techniques like solar and wind energy.
Benefits of Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus
Lower Operational Cost:
The hydrogen fuel cells created by KPIT-CSIR are very efficient, thanks to their unique designs. In comparison to diesel-powered vehicles, the high density of energy of hydrogen lowers the total operating cost per km for heavy-duty vehicles like buses and trucks.
Refuelling in Minutes:
A hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle may be refuelled in minutes without the need for charging, much like an internal-combustion engine that runs on conventional fuels like gasoline and diesel.
Water as the Only Effluent:
The fuel cells used in the bus were specially designed and created by KPIT-CSIR in Pune, and the sole effluent from the bus is water, not smoke or air pollution. The Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus is perhaps the most ecologically friendly form of transportation as a result.
No Recharging Necessary:
Hydrogen-powered cars have a greater range than conventional electrical vehicles because they can continue to generate energy as long as there is a supply of hydrogen.
Reduced Carbon Footprint:
On the other hand, a bus running on diesel, which is often used to travel large distances, would normally release 100 tonnes of CO2 per year. A significant carbon footprint is produced by the public transportation system’s usage of millions of buses. In contrast to this, a bus fueled by hydrogen fuel cells would emit no air pollution at all, merely water as a byproduct.
PM Modi's Vision for Hydrogen Cells
The hydrogen vision of Prime Minister Modi is a critical step in ensuring that India has access to affordable, clean energy and that climate change goals are accomplished. Green hydrogen is a superior clean energy source that can completely decarbonize the heavy commercial transportation sector as well as the steel, cement, fertiliser, and refining industries.
